Demario Richard, a 5’10, 200-pound running back from Palmdale (Ca.) High School, has an impressive array of offers to his name. High profile programs as far away as Michigan State, Tennessee, and West Virginia have expressed interest, to say nothing of closer schools like California, Arizona State, and UCLA. In total, Richard has no less than 19 schools vying for his services.
Demario Richard recruit scouting report: Balanced, talented running back
A closer look at one of the nation’s top 25 running backs.
Student Sports
A 3-star recruit according to the 247sports composite, Richard rates favorably and is considered to be one of the top backs in the 2014 class, as well as a top 50 recruit in the state of California. Scout and ESPN have the highest evaluations of Richard, respectively -- both see him as a 4-star prospect, with the former rating Richard the 27th best running back in 2014. Even at the lower end of his evaluations, Richard -- who runs a reported 4.55 40 -- is still a top 50 player at his position.
Derrell Warren, West Coast Recruiting Analyst: Running back recruit Demario Richard is short, but stoutly built. He doesn’t possess the widest hip or shoulder base, but has a large trunk, so it will be interesting to see how much weight he will be able to put on at the college level.
Richard has a good initial burst, as he’s really fast through the hole. As an interior runner, he carries excellent balance, lower body strength and has the leg drive to push the pile and gain the tough yards. Has good vision both in between the tackles and in the open field. At the college Richard probably doesn’t project to have the speed to gain the edge consistently. That said, he’s a really good ‘pick and slide’ runner with plus level agility quick feet. He is elusive but does use a lot of wasted lateral movement. His stop and start quickness that allows him to slip defenders in the box and sidestep pursuers in space.
It’s worth noting that Richard does have a tendency gathers his frame a bit prior to changing direction. However, he compensates for this a bit with the suddenness and burst he has coming out of his cuts.
Richard is a good all-around back. But, in terms of size and/or speed he doesn’t have that one dominant physical trait that defines his game or would serve as a trumpcard over most runners.
Going forward, he probably projects best as either a change of pace back or as part of a tandem in the backfield.
